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President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his speech to the Gridiron Club. Though Roosevelt has a lot of work to do, he does not want to give up his exercise. He closes with a story about Archie and Quentin building a brick fireplace to cook on outside. Kermit appears to have written on the back of the letter.
1906-12-09
President Roosevelt is worried about his son Kermit’s boils. He also writes about how Congress will vote on his big battleships. Roosevelt also mentions the poor “Tartar” tribe, saying that all they want is to live on a Sioux reservation and have the government supply them. Roosevelt closes the letter with updates on the family.
1907-01-26
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit about recent guests at the White House and taking walks. Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt needed a break and took Ethel Roosevelt away for forty-eight hours on the Sylph. He says his hands are full with California trying to keep Japanese out of their schools. Congress is refusing to provide fortifications for the Philippines and Hawaii or allow Roosevelt to build up the navy. Kermit has taken notes on the envelope.
1907-02-04
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say his travel plans to Harvard and Groton have leaked out, and mentions an article he read. Roosevelt also describes going for horseback rides through the snow, as well as a gift some sailors from the Louisiana gave to Mother. He adds that San Francisco mayor Eugene Schmitz and the school board have arrived to discuss letting Japanese children into their schools. Kermit appears to have taken notes on the back of the envelope.
1907-02-09
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about a planned trip by Mother, Edith, Archie, and Quentin aborted due to the snow. Roosevelt has been negotiating with the Californians over their discriminating against Japanese children. Roosevelt laments that there are problems with everything he is trying to accomplish, then closes the letter by discussing the work of Mark Twain and Robert Browning.
1907-02-16
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to report that Archie has diphtheria and Roosevelt is working so much during the end of Congress’ session he barely gets to see him.
1907-03-03
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to report that the family’s Mississippi trip will have to be postponed because Archie has not recovered fully from his diphtheria. Roosevelt mentions all the well wishes being sent to Archie, and says Kermit will have to stay with sister Alice when he comes home. Roosevelt closes by describing his walk with new Postmaster General Meyer.
1907-03-07
President Roosevelt writes to his Kermit and says people have been asking his to make a speech on the railroad situation, but he has said all he wants to say. Roosevelt compliments Kermit on learning to jump on a horse, gives updates on the family, and describes the spring scenery.
1907-03-31
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to report on his activities with Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and other family members. He also mentions that Quentin wants to go to the Fay School, a boarding school, in the fall, which upsets Edith.
1906-09-23
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his distress over the government in Cuba. He then describes his trip aboard the Mayflower to see Admiral Evans’s fleet at Barnstable with cousin William Emlen Roosevelt, C. Grant La Farge, and Archie. They watched a gunnery exercise on the battleship Missouri (BB-11). Roosevelt ends the letter with updates on Ted and Quentin.
1906-09-30
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to let him know that he found his missing guns at Sagamore Hill. Roosevelt talks of spending time with Edith and how much they love the White House, but look forward to returning to Sagamore Hill after his presidency ends. He closes by talking about Archie and Quentin, what he has been reading, and work on his message. Roosevelt hopes to visit Panama after the election.
1906-10-14
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about Archie playing with Skip the dog and spending time with Edith. William H. Taft and Robert Bacon have returned from a successful trip to Cuba, and Roosevelt and Edith will be going to Panama. Roosevelt closes with his opinion of whether or not Ted will get into Harvard’s Dickie Club.
1906-10-23
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit to say he has a letter of James Monroe that he is keeping for Kermit. Edith has taken Ethel and Archie away for a few days, and Roosevelt relates a story about Archie’s football team and the dogs. Roosevelt adds that he is horribly bothered by California’s approach to immigration rules regarding the Japanese and is worried it may lead to war with Japan. He closes by saying he is taking Quentin to hear a sermon by the former Rough Rider chaplain. Kermit has taken notes on the back of the envelope.
1906-10-27
President Roosevelt thinks Ted Roosevelt will get into the Dickey because all his friends have. He believes Nicholas Longworth’s election to the House of Representatives from Ohio is safe and feels the Republicans will carry a majority of the House. Roosevelt also hopes Charles Evans Hughes will be elected governor of New York. He closes by saying Edith has had neuralgia so they are going to Pine Knot for a few days.
1906-10-31
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit about his trip with Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt on their boat to the place where George Washington was born. He details the land, especially the flowers. Roosevelt also gives updates on Archie, Quentin, and Ethel.
1906-04-30
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit Roosevelt to say he is busy because of the rate bill. Roosevelt describes riding his new black mare and Archie and Kermit riding horses at Dr. Presley Marion Rixey’s farm. Ethel has been with Christine and they have gone sailing. Roosevelt closes by saying he just finished reading Anthony Trollope’s Prime Minister.
1906-05-14
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to say he is happy with his marks this month but still does not feel he should be leaving Groton School before his sixth year as Ted did. Roosevelt is allowing it because he does not want Kermit to feel he is favoring Ted over Kermit, but Roosevelt has already told Archie that Archie will do six years. Roosevelt says Edith hurt her leg riding, and developed an abscess and is in a wheelchair. Roosevelt’s rate bill went through the Senate and he now turns his attention to the fight over the canal.
1906-05-20
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit, who is visiting Medora, North Dakota. Roosevelt asks after people he knows there, then updates Kermit on the family activities that summer at Oyster Bay.
1906-08-18
Governor Roosevelt expresses regret that he can not attend his Aunt Laura’s funeral. He also reveals that Archie had been sick.
1900-03-21
President Roosevelt writes to his son Kermit telling him to study hard and play football as well. Roosevelt met with the Rector and is sorry that the Rector and Kermit did not hit it off. Roosevelt feels the next years of his presidency will be difficult and hopes to have a couple days to relax with Edith before heading back to Washington. He ends by updating events with Archie and Quentin.
1905-09-27